Author: Amanda McGarrigle

Art —Term 2
Kandinsky
Using shapes and colours to create art.

Background Information
Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky was a Russian painter and art theorist. Kandinsky is generally credited as the pioneer of abstract art.
Kandinsky began to think that painting didn't need a particular subject, but that shapes and colours alone could be art. Over the next several years he would start to paint what would become known as Abstract Art. Kandinsky was one of the founding fathers of Abstract Art.

In this unit the children will…
Look at examples of Kandinsky’s work—What colours did he use? What shapes did he use?
Use line drawings to create a pattern.
Add shapes to their picture—Kandinsky thought that shapes could express different emotions: a triangle aggressive feelings, a square calm feelings and a circle spiritual feelings. The children will be encouraged to think about what feeling they want to show and use that shape in their picture.
Add colour to their pictures—thinking about how colours can make us feel.
Be able to give a simple description of their painting and what it is showing.

By the end of this unit….
All children can:
Draw a fine line pattern that can have colour added to it.
Create a simple picture with shapes, lines and colour to convey a simple meaning.
Most children will:
Use shape and colour to show feelings.
Some children will:
Be able to talk about their picture and what they have shown through it.
To be able to talk about the completed work of another child and explain how it makes them feel and what it shows to them.

Cross curricular activities:
Fine motor skills—making fine lines and patterns.
Maths—shapes.
Colour—how colour can express different feelings and emotions.

Key Vocabulary
Abstract art—art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead uses shapes, colours, forms and gestural marks to achieve its effect.
Emotions—a strong feeling deriving from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.